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MCX: Merchants accepting both CurrentC and Apple Pay ‘entirely possible’ in the future

Earlier this week, retailers CVS and Rite Aid blocked NFC payments at their stores following the launch of Apple Pay because of their existing commitment to MCX’s CurrentC platform. Nevertheless, MCX CEO Dekkers Davidson assures that merchants accepting both CurrentC and Apple Pay “could be entirely possible” in the future.

The blockade has ignited somewhat of a controversy between Apple Pay and MCX, only worsened by the fact that it was confirmed that CurrentC suffered a security breach earlier this morning. MCX, or Merchant Customer Exchange, consists of a number of high-profile retailers that grouped together to work on their own CurrentC contactless payments platform.

Davidson added that merchants that have agreed to use the CurrentC platform have made a choice as to what kind of customer experience they want to offer, promoting the fact that CurrentC works regardless of mobile operating system. He claims that the decision isn’t about technology, but rather about customer engagement.

The chief executive confirmed that MCX does not impose a fine on merchants if they choose to accept contactless payments from Apple Pay or similar, as was originally reported by The New York Times, although it remains clear that the retailers involved are contractually obligated to not accept competing payment services if they wish to remain a member of the consortium.

“When merchants choose to work with MCX, they choose to do so exclusively and we’re proud of the long list of merchants who have partnered with us,” wrote MCX in a recent blog post. “Importantly, if a merchant decides to stop working with MCX, there are no fines.”

Davidson remained tight-lipped when asked to do a public comparison between the security features of CurrentC and Apple Pay, although he did note that customers have access to a personal information dashboard in which they can opt out of receiving location-based services or promotional offers.

In response to the recent security breach, Davidson claimed that he cannot speculate on the motivations behind the hack, but noted that CurrentC was not affected and the unauthorized disclosure of emails occurred through a third-party vendor. He would not specifically name the vendor that suffered the attack.

CurrentC is set to launch in early 2015 at participating retailers in MCX, including Walmart, Best Buy, Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Publix, Sears, Shell and 7-Eleven.

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Comments

  1. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    I want to see and use Apple Pay everywhere I go. Options are good for consumers. Android and iOS users should all be able to use NFC terminals for payments.

    • patstar5 - 9 years ago

      I hope the don’t limit nfc terminals to only apple pay or only google wallet

      • 311sie - 9 years ago

        as I understand it, that is not possible. NFC is a standard much like WiFi and Bluetooth.

      • Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

        I agree. It should continue to be open to any system. I just want us to have the choice.

  2. Chris Sanders - 9 years ago

    i.e. customer data trafficking.

  3. chrisl84 - 9 years ago

    “in the future” is code for three years down the road when MCX exclusivity clause expires

  4. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    Trying to do “Damage Control” to all the merchants who paid the outrageous sign-up fees 3 years ago – so that they don’t jump ship in light of both the Media Storm concerning Apple Pay AND the fact that their system was already hacked – and it’s still in Beta!

    Shut it down – It’s a stillborn idea that really has no benefits to the customer – only the merchants.

    Losers!

  5. coolguyme - 9 years ago

    I wonder if the retail employees are embarrassed

  6. Jesse Supaman Nichols - 9 years ago

    Full list of MCX merchants that are blockading NFC payments: http://boycott-mcx.com

  7. Jason Frost - 9 years ago

    LOL! It’s entirely possible NOW if the retailers wouldn’t have blocked it!

  8. digizeo - 9 years ago

    A famous quote from Gordon Ramsey “SHUT IT DOWN”

  9. Its all about choice, if you want you can choose, cash, visa, mastercard and sometimes even american express. ApplePay or Google Wallet are already included in these…!!!

    Do you know what would be really funny right about now, is if they the customer (stores) where told by visa and master card, that they can no longer use there facilities to take payment…!!!

    That would be turning the tables on them and making them see just how stupid they are…! 90% of business is done with credit cards…!!!

    • What would also be funny is if Google and Apple said, “Nope… your app is not allowed in our App Stores! We can’t come in your store and you can’t come in ours.”

      • iSRS - 9 years ago

        I disagree. Let it in. Let it keep getting horrible reviews. I would prefer it just go undownladed. We have the choice to get it and don’t.

  10. staaaaaan - 9 years ago

    The chances of me using CurrentC just went from maybe to screw that crap.

  11. iSRS - 9 years ago

    “Entirely possible in the future” is code for how quickly they can rewrite the agreements when requested. My guess? Before thanksgiving.

  12. Fallenjt JT - 9 years ago

    Really? who the f want to use MCX while you can have a more secured, NFC based method like Apple Pay or even Google Wallet?
    QR Code is pretty much crap for mobile payment…it’s nothing new…Starbucks has been using it.

    • Chris Sanders - 9 years ago

      Yeah but starbucks is different in that it allows you to use your credit/debit to link with your starbucks account.

      • Fallenjt JT - 9 years ago

        True, that means Starbucks app is even better than this CurrentC crap.

  13. Xac - 9 years ago

    This would be so much more simple if CurrentC just signed onto Apple Pay alongside the big 3 credit cards, but that will never as long as MCX’s business model includes collecting customer data. That is where the true battle lies.

  14. these stories reminds of watching the avengers movies…. the avengers vs. dark elves…loki…and thanos

  15. Cut your losses already… This ship is sinking and it hasn’t even left the port yet.

    • myke2241 - 9 years ago

      seriously! CC has failed three times this week. its not even Thursday! what will go wrong tomorrow?

  16. liquidwolverine1 - 9 years ago

    MCX “entirely possible in the future”….actually how about immediately…. MCX did a complete 180 on their fines for breaking the exclusive regulation: http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/29/mcx-press-conference/?ncid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29

  17. pjey357 - 9 years ago

    The retailers should just find a way to get their own store cards on Apple Pay at least (other than Visa/MasterCard/Amex). Then no fees and they can still get some info.

  18. Here is a list (antiCurrentC.com) of the merchant blocking NFC and their social network Pages. Pound away.

  19. james0328 - 9 years ago

    If it’s all about choice, I’d pick one that doesn’t steal my personal data, thx

  20. b9bot - 9 years ago

    They had it already and then pulled it out. Now bring NFC back so customers have there choice to use the method of payment they want to use which is Apple Pay.